I was told they did not think I was truthful on the “3 letter agency” polygraph and would not be moving forward to the background investigation. There was NOTHING that existed 4ish years ago. The polygraph guy simply said, “you are showing deception and I believe lying about something.” I told him there is nothing else I have to disclose and I am being absolutely honest. I have zero clue what could have caused the problem… other than the fact that they are a good TOOL, but I believe should not be the reason to fail someone out. We do it at our agency plenty… we’ve hired guys who later said they beat the polygraph, and I can attest for having “lied” on a polygraph when having absolutely NOT lied.
(just my opinion on the use of the machine)
My credit is 800+
I have had no drug issues or use of drugs, no issues of medication, criminal behavior. The only thing I have been involved in was a gun battle at work which caused me to seek treatment for depression and stress. That never even came up on the polygraph.
All I got from the secret service was a letter saying, “you will not be moving onto the background investigation portion." On Federal Soup these two were quotes from I believe a retired investigator and some other senior member:
Dear Lew Archer,
the FBI is one of those agencies that conduct polygraphs prior to conducting a background investigation (bi), supposely to save additional resources ($$) should the applicant fail it and be rejected for failing it.
Failing a polygraph exam is not asked in the SF-86 and will not prevent you from getting a new job, not unless that new job requires you to be polygraphed and you don’t pass it.
I have witness numerous times folks “failing” a polygraph over at X agency, and then “passing” it at Y agency.
I have also witness many, many times folks “not passing it” and keeping their security clearances.
So one isn’t required to list it (not passing it or even passing it) in their SF-86.
Polygraphs are used as a supplement to, not as a subsitute for, other forms of investigations.
Polygraph exams are used for many reasons, such as to resolve serious credible adverse information, it also may be requested by the applicant themselves for exculpatory purposes in connection with a security clearance investigation, but they are primary administered to detemine eligibility for special assignments or access to special catergories of classified information, not for security clearances.
The polygraph has a history of controvesy, which I will not comment on.
Hope this helps.
Jim Hennessey
Leesburg, VA
Federal Background Investigator (Ret.)
Security Clearance Consultant
AND
I agree with Mr. Hennessey. Poly’s with the FBI are done preinvestigation, so on your SF-86 or E-quip can check no, that you’ve never been declined a clearance, nor has your background investigated.